News & Events
May 14th - STEP UP Committee Kick-Off Meeting
6:30pm at the DSAM office, 2893 S. Mendenhall Rd. Suite 3 - Are you looking for a way to get involved? Join the SUDS committee and work behind the scenes for the 15th Annual STEP UP for Down Syndrome event. There are many areas that we can use your talents and services with, including: PR/Marketing, Team Coordination, Registration, Imagine the PossABILITIES, Entertainment and MORE!! If you are interested or have questions contact Mikela Saxon at 901-547-7588 or mikela.saxon@dsamemphis.org
May 19th - Bright Steps New Family Brunch
9 am-11:30 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, Education Building, 1738 Galloway, Memphis - Parents, Infants and toddlers age 3 years and under, along with their grandparents, siblings and caregivers are invited to join us for good food, networking and the new Bright Steps program and sibling sessions. The Bright Steps program is a play-based therapy and education group which will meet quarterly on Saturdays during the DSAM New Family Brunch. Come network with other families, find out about therapy techniques to help your child, find out about navigating the Early Intervention services and learn more about becoming an advocate for your child. Special sessions are also available for siblings too! There is no cost for the brunch and program and a Spanish speaking interpreter will be available at every session. Bright Steps program meets quarterly at Trinity United Methodist Church from 9-11:30. Please RSVP before May 16th by contacting DSAM at (901)547-7588 or email admin@dsamemphis.org.
June 16th - DSAM Night at the Redbirds
6:05 pm at AutoZone Park - Join DSAM for a fun family night out with the Redbirds as they take on the Nashville Sounds. Tickets are only $5 each and includes a post game fireworks show. There are a limited number of tickets available so contact the DSAM office at 901.547.7588 and reserve yours today!
June 20 - August 3 - Summer Steps Preschool Program
The Summer Steps program is a preschool development program for children 3 – 5 years of age with Down syndrome. In a small group setting, a variety of activities will be provided in order to address the child’s speech and language skills, cognitive skills, fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, self-help and feeding skills and emergent literacy skills. Theme and literature based activities will be provided in order to address the above mentioned skills. Home Activities based on the daily theme will be provided each week to assist families with carry-over of skills at home. The Summer Steps program utilizes a Total Communication Approach to learning. By learning signs, many children are able to communicate and express their wants and needs before they are able to say their first words. Space is limited so register today. The Summer Steps program meets twice weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays from June 20 – August 3, 2012 (Closed July 4 & 6). The hours of Summer Steps are 9:00 – 12:00. The Summer Steps program will take place at Germantown United Methodist Preschool located at 2331 S. Germantown Rd., Germantown, TN. Registration fees for Summer Steps are $200. If you are interested in registering your child or have any questions, please call DSAM at 901-547-7588 or email admin@dsamemphis.org.
Save the Date: National Down Syndrome Congress Convention
July 19 -22, 2012 in Washington, D.C.
From your house to the White House, it will be an opportunity to share in the milestones of the last 40 years, advocate for continued progress through a Day on the Hill, and embrace all individuals with Down syndrome as they live the dream.
DSAM's Board of Directors has established a stipend program to assist and individuals with Down syndrome and their families attending the NDSC convention. These grants are also incentives for individuals with Down syndrome and their families to attend convention and have access to the most up to date educational resources, research and networking opportunities. This stipend is a reimbursement program. Families and individuals may seek reimbursement for registration fees, transportation and lodging up to $500 per family, $500 per Self-Advocate or up to $1000 for first time attendees. A conference stipend form needs to be completed to apply for reimbursements. Download form here.
The deadline to apply for grants is May 1, 2012. Grants will be awarded on a first come first serve basis. Applicants will be notified of awards no later than May 21, 2012. For more information about the convention or to reserve your lodging accommodations visit www.ndsccenter.org
or call: (407) 939-1020.